Cataracts in the elderly PTP

<p>Blurry vision and unclear images in the elderly are often overlooked because many think it’s just a part of aging. However, blurry vision in seniors can be prevented and treated, potentially restoring their eyesight. Common eye conditions that people are familiar with include cataracts, pterygium, glaucoma, and others.</p>
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<h2><span style="color: #00826a;">Pinguecula and pterygium</span></h2>
<p>Pinguecula and pterygium are related conditions, with pinguecula being the early stage of pterygium. Pinguecula appears as a small, raised, white patch on the eye&#8217;s surface, resulting from changes in the conjunctiva. It typically occurs at the inner or outer corners of the eye but does not invade the cornea. If it progresses, it can extend onto the cornea, forming pterygium, which appears as a fleshy growth. The primary causes are genetic predisposition and UV radiation. Patients often experience chronic irritation due to environmental factors like sunlight, dust, and smoke, making this condition common among outdoor workers such as farmers and fishermen, as well as the elderly. Simple prevention methods include avoiding sun exposure, dust, and smoke, wearing proper UV-blocking sunglasses, and consulting an eye doctor if irritation occurs. Self-medicating with eye drops is discouraged, as some may contain harmful ingredients. If pterygium significantly affects vision, surgical intervention may be necessary, but it can recur post-surgery, so prevention is the best strategy.</p>
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<h2><span style="color: #00826a;">Glaucoma</span></h2>
<p>Glaucoma is a chronic eye condition and a leading cause of vision loss. Patients often experience peripheral vision loss, starting from the outer edges and narrowing towards the center until total vision loss occurs. Currently, about 70 million people worldwide suffer from glaucoma, with an incidence rate in Thailand of approximately 2.5-3.8%, equating to about 1.7-2.4 million patients. Many lose their sight completely due to a lack of early treatment, as glaucoma often shows no signs in its initial stages. Causes include external factors like prolonged use of steroid eye drops or eye injuries, as well as internal factors like high intraocular pressure, aging, race, and family history. Most of these risk factors are uncontrollable, except for managing eye pressure. Once diagnosed, treatment involves regular use of eye drops to lower eye pressure or laser surgery, as deemed appropriate by a doctor. The best preventive measure for those at risk is regular eye check-ups, particularly for individuals over 40 or those with a family history of glaucoma.</p>
<h2><span style="color: #00826a;">Cataracts</span></h2>
<p>Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in Thailand and many countries worldwide, but they are treatable with high success rates if addressed early. Cataracts develop from the natural aging of the eye lens, causing it to become cloudy, which decreases light passage to the retina or causes abnormal light refraction, leading to blurred vision. Cataracts often occur bilaterally but can vary in severity. They are most common in those over 60, with cases appearing as early as 55. Modern cataract surgery is advanced, using ultrasound to dissolve the cataract through a small incision of 2-3 millimeters, a method known as phacoemulsification, which requires no stitches. Patients can typically resume normal activities the next day, with precautions to avoid water and rubbing the eyes for a week. Surgery usually involves local anesthesia, ensuring high safety with low infection risk. Additionally, the use of artificial intraocular lenses can replace the damaged natural lens, with options for near and distance vision correction, as well as astigmatism correction, tailored to each patient&#8217;s needs by their ophthalmologist.</p>


Common eye conditions that people are familiar with include cataracts, pterygium, glaucoma, and others.

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